Premier League 2
Blackburn Rovers 0 Arsenal 0
A depleted Arsenal U23s side secured a point away to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last night despite the dismissal of Charlie Gilmour.
Gilmour was sent off for kicking out at Lewis Travis early in the second half and Blackburn also ended the game with ten men after Hayden Carter saw red for a foul on Joe Willock late on.
Arsenal were without Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Julio Pleguezuelo, who could feature for the first-team against Vorskla Poltava on Thursday.
Coach Freddie Ljungberg made some rather unconventional selection decisions, with James Olayinka, normally a midfielder or winger, deployed at right-back, while Tolaji Bola started in midfield despite being a left-back.
Bukayo Saka made his first start at this level, with Trae Coyle also involved.
Iliev
Olayinka-Ballard-Medley-Saka
Bola-Willock
Coyle-Gilmour-Burton
John Jules
Subs: M. Smith (for Coyle, 64), Olayinka (for Olowu, 83). Not used: Hein, Clarke, Omole.
Deyan Iliev had to be alert in the early stages to keep Blackburn at bay, with Jack Rodwell amongst the Blackburn players to test the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Joe Nuttall then forced Iliev into another save and Arsenal’s task was made even more difficult just after the break when Gilmour received a straight red card after kicking out at Travis.
Arsenal introduced Matt Smith for his debut at this level in place of Coyle and the young Gunners eventually managed to impose themselves on the game, with Willock shooting wide.
Carter’s dismissal for a challenge on Willock meant that both sides finished with ten men, but the Arsenal midfielder squandered an inviting opportunity to secure victory late on.
Arsenal, having secured their first league clean sheet of the season, return to action on Friday when they host Liverpool.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 